Burned Idaho City boardwalk complex expected to be torn down Monday

It’s almost been five months since a fire ripped through a block of businesses on Idaho City’s Main Street, and the charred remains of the boardwalk complex — that held Calamity Jayne’s, Sarsaparilla Ice Cream Parlor, Main Street Floral and Candle Shop, Old Time Photo and Idaho City Trading Post — is still standing.

But, that is expected to change Monday, according to Toni Barrett, who co-owns the business complex with her husband, Randy.

“We're just happy to be making some kind of progress on it,” she said.

The fire, determined to be caused by arson, according to investigators, took a toll on the community, but most of the businesses reopened and saw success this summer.

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The Barretts were working with their lawyers and insurance provider to determine how they could pay for the cost of the demolition. The insurance company processed the check to pay for the demolition in early October, which gave the Barretts the go-ahead to put the project up for bid, Toni Barrett said.

She said they will be relieved to see the burned structure taken down.